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Among the many varieties of buttermilk, Suillus flavidus, also known as marsh buttermilk, or yellowish buttermilk, is undeservedly deprived of attention. Although it does not have the popularity of its related species, the gastronomic qualities of Suillus flavidus are quite capable of placing it on a par with the most delicious representatives of the mushroom kingdom.
What does the swamp butterdish mushroom look like?
This swamp native belongs to the tubular mushrooms of the Maslenaceae family. Despite the fact that they are not classified as “noble” mushrooms, which are not ashamed to boast to experienced mushroom pickers, swamp boletus is still worthy of recognition. In the photo below you can appreciate these representatives of the genus Suillus.
Description of the cap
The cap of the marsh oiler is relatively small for specimens of its genus: its size varies from 4 to 8 cm, depending on age. However, it does not differ in thickness, and, like other representatives of the genus Suillus, is covered with characteristic oily secretions.
The shape of the bog mushroom cap also changes according to the stages of development of the organism. In young specimens it is hemispherical, but as it grows it flattens, acquires a small tubercle in its upper part and slightly elongates closer to the stem.
The cap of the marsh oiler, as can be seen in the photo, has a discreet color, in which yellowish shades predominate. For this feature, the species received one of its names - yellowish oiler. However, the color palette of the hat is not limited to just yellow. Often there are specimens whose yellowish color is combined with beige, grayish or pale green tones.
The tubular layer of the cap of the marsh oiler is quite fragile. Its distinctive feature is its rather small pores, the color of which varies from lemon and the same yellowish to ocher.
The dense pulp of the yellowish oiler does not have a pronounced odor and does not secrete milky juice. The cut of a swamp representative of the Buttercup family has a pale pink color.
Description of the leg
The stem of Suillus flavidus is quite strong and has a cylindrical, slightly curved shape. Its thickness is 0.3 - 0.5 cm, and its length can reach 6 - 7 cm. A distinctive property of the stem of this mushroom, as can be seen in the photo, is the presence of a translucent jelly-like ring of white or dirty yellow colors, which forms on young boletus when the cap is detached from the stem during growth.The leg itself has a yellowish color, which below the ring turns into a yellow-brown tint.
Other features of the marsh oiler include the elliptical shape of the spores and the coffee-yellow color of the spore powder
Is swamp butterfly edible or not?
Despite their inconspicuous appearance, yellowish boletus mushrooms are edible mushrooms. They are edible in almost any form. These swamp mushrooms can be eaten raw or pickled, and are suitable for frying and drying. Thanks to their juicy pulp with a pleasant taste, these mushrooms can add novelty to many familiar dishes: from salads and aspic to soups and baked goods.
Where and how does the swamp butterdish grow?
As you can guess from the name, swamp oiler grows mainly in marshy places, singly or in small groups. Suillus flavidus can be found in swampy pine forests, in river floodplains or ditches, where it hides among mosses, successfully blending with its surroundings. The best time to collect yellowish butter beans is considered to be the period from late August to early October. True, this marsh species is quite rare, despite its wide distribution area. It includes many European temperate countries, such as Poland, Lithuania, France, Romania and most of Russia, including Siberia.
Those who are lucky enough to stumble upon this species should remember a few simple rules that will allow you to collect the most delicious specimens without harming yourself or the environment:
- Preference should be given to young marsh mushrooms, the cap of which does not exceed 5 cm in circumference. Older members of the genus Suillus flavidus become tough and lose their delicate taste.
- It is not recommended to collect marsh boletus if the weather has been dry for several days in a row or there has been continuous rain.
- Since marsh boletus tends to accumulate toxic substances in large quantities, you should not collect them near industrial zones, along roadsides or along the banks of polluted rivers.
- When collecting Suillus flavidus, you should never pull them out of the soil, so as not to damage the mycelium. It is better to cut the swamp crop with a sharp knife just above ground level.
In addition to these recommendations, for your own safety, you must avoid inedible representatives of the mushroom kingdom, which look like a yellowish butter dish.
Swamp oiler twins and their differences
The yellowish oiler has no poisonous counterparts and bears little resemblance to other species of the Oiler family. However, it can be confused with the inedible pepper mushroom Chalcíporus piperátus. It is also called pepper butter, although it belongs to a different family. This reddish-brown representative of the Boletaceae with a glossy non-sticky cap up to 7 cm in diameter grows mainly under pine trees, less often in spruce forests. Its tubular layer is brown in color, and its thin stalk reaches 10 cm in height. The flesh of Chalcíporus piperátus tastes like hot pepper. And although this false butter dish is not poisonous, the bitterness of even one pepper mushroom can ruin any recipe.
Its Siberian counterpart, Suillus sibirikus, vaguely resembles the swamp butterdish. It is considered conditionally edible, since this species can be consumed only after peeling and processing for 20 minutes. The convex cap of the Siberian representative is painted in yellow-brown or tobacco-olive tones and grows up to 10 cm. Its slippery yellow flesh does not change color when cut. The stem of the mushroom, also yellowish, reaches a height of 8 cm. It is somewhat thicker than that of the marsh variety, up to 1 - 1.5 cm in girth, and is covered with red spots.
Conclusion
Although the marsh butterdish is quite inconspicuous, it definitely deserves the attention of mushroom pickers. Its pleasant taste, dense texture, and versatility of use will appeal to many connoisseurs of forest products.
